What Causes Dark Circles Under the Eyes?

Most people think that the dark circles under the eyes, or what we call eye bags, are caused by lack of sleep. Staying up all night is always the first thing that we blame for having dark under eyes. Well, it is indeed very important to get adequate sleep if you want to keep your skin healthy. However, lack of sleep is not the only reason why people have dark circles under their eyes. It’s because there are people who get enough sleep daily but still have dark under eyes.

Even though having dark circles under the eyes can affect anyone, they are most common in elderly people and as well as to those who have darker skin tones. If you are one of those who are wondering what causes dark circles under the eyes, then you’ve come to the right place. Today, we are giving you the possible reasons why you have those dark circles under your eyes.

Fatigue

As mentioned earlier, sleep deprivation is one of the major causes of dark under eyes. It can cause your skin to become dull and pale, creating dark tissues and blood vessels beneath your skin to show. But aside from lack of sleep, other causes of dark circles under the eyes are oversleeping and extreme fatigue. These things can also cause fluid to build underneath your eyes, making them appear puffy. Because of the puffiness of your eyelids, the dark circles you see maybe the shadows cast by them.

Genetics

Yes, genetics can also play a part in developing dark circles under the eyes. People can inherit it from their parents, and it is usually seen in early childhood. As people age, it may worsen or disappear slowly. This trait is common in people with Mediterranean backgrounds. But if it’s only pigmentation, dermatologists can help in getting rid of the dark circles by using specific lasers.

Age

Another common cause of dark circles under the yes is natural aging. As we age, our skin becomes thinner, and we also lose the fat and collagen needed by our skin to maintain elasticity. As this happens, the dark blood vessels beneath our skin become more visible, which causes the darkening of our under eyes.

Allergies

Allergic reactions and as well as dryness of the eyes, can also cause dark circles under the eyes to appear. When you suffer from allergies, your body releases histamines to fight harmful bacteria. However, this can cause uncomfortable symptoms like itchiness and puffy eyes. Aside from that, it can also cause your blood vessels to expand and become more visible under your skin.

Also, when you have allergies, you have the urge to rub and scratch the itchy skin around your eyes, which also causes inflammation and broken blood vessels, resulting in dark circles under your eyes.

Eye Strain

Most people today tend to spend a lot of time staring at their smartphones, computer screens, and television. These activities, when done for longer periods, can cause significant strain on the eyes, causing the blood vessels around them to enlarge. And when the blood vessels become enlarged, the skin around the eyes can darken.

Blue Veins

If the area under your eyes looks particularly blue, it might not be your skin but your blood vessels. Having blue veins under the eyes can make it look like dark circles, as well. But if you look closely, it is just the veins under the skin of your eyes.

Bone Structure

Another reason why your under-eye areas may appear dark is the way your face is shaped. For example, people who have deep tear channels under their eyes may appear to have dark circles on those areas because of the shadowing and indentation. But no worries because the darkness is not from your veins or pigments. If you are bothered by this, you can have fillers from a certified pro to even out your eye area.

Dehydration

When you are dehydrated, this can also cause dark circles under your eyes. It’s because when the body is not receiving enough amount of water, the skin beneath the eyes begins to look dull, and the eyes may look sunken. This happens because of their close proximity to the underlying bone near the eyes.

Makeup Irritation

The reason why most women use makeup is to cover up the dark circles under the eyes. However, when you are using a product that causes irritation, then it can worsen the dark circles under your eyes. When your eyes get irritated from a makeup, whether it’s mascara, eyeshadow, or concealer, you will likely rub and scratch them, causing the area to darken more.

Too Much Sun Exposure

If you are always exposed to the sun, it can also be the reason why you have dark circles under your eyes. It’s because overexposure to the sun can cause your body to produce too much melanin, which is the pigment that provides your skin with color. When the area around your eyes is exposed to the sun, it can cause pigmentation, leading to dark under-eyes.

These are the possible causes of dark circles under the eyes. So, the next time you notice that you have dark under-eyes, you can check if the reason falls to the causes we have mentioned here.

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